Our people

The Pacific at Waikato team is here to provide strategic leadership, direction, programs, advice, and resources that can support staff as they help Pacific learners achieve success. You can email the department at pacificsupport@waikato.ac.nz.

Through her mother, Keaka is Kanaka Maoli, Kanaka 'Ōiwi from Na 'Ohana o Kalama of La'ie, Hawai'i. Through her father, she is Cherokee from Boyd Mountain in Northwest Arkansas ... and a few other things.  

Keaka is a Waikato alumna, having done her Bachelor of Laws with first-class honours and her PhD in Law at the University. She taught and was the Associate Dean Undergraduate at Te Piringa prior to being appointed as the first Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Waikato in February 2019.  

The AVC Pacific role provides strategic leadership for the university's ongoing efforts to improve success for Pacific learners, staff, families and communities through tertiary education. The AVC Pacific is the chair of the Pacific Strategic Committee, sits on other committees and boards, and works closely with the University Leadership Group, Research and Enterprise, Human Resources, and Business Intelligence and Analytics.  

The AVC Pacific looks after the Lo'i Pacific Research and Innovation Hub and Te Pōkingā Ngaru programme.

Read more about Keaka's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.

Sia holds conjoint LLB and BBA (Fin) degrees majoring in accounting from the University of Waikato. As a proud alumna of UoW, she is passionate about learner success and empowering young people and businesses.

Sia is actively involved with national and local Fijian community organisations and initiatives, including Fijian Language Week. Sia has extensive experience in designing and delivering student success initiatives, student engagement, social media and marketing, student leadership development, and Pacific education research.

The name of the Dau ni Talitali Pacific Engagement Manager has been gifted by the Fijian community. The name refers to a master weaver, in this case, a weaver of people. The role is focused on connecting Pacific learners and their families and communities with learning, culture and community on campus. The role leads out for the AVC Pacific team on cultural events, connections with high schools, pastoral care, social media and the website. This role works closely with the Student Services, Future Students and Marketing teams.

The Dau ni Talitali looks after the Tupaia Challenge, 'Āiga on Campus, and Imua Initiative. She also supervises the FoE High School STEM Navigators programme.

Read more about Sia's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.

Hennah is originally from the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Through her mother, Hennah is connected to the mountainous people of the Faiyantina area, Henganofi District, and through her father, she identifies with the peace-loving people of Korofeigu in the low-lying plains of Bena Unggai District. 

The name of the Taki Ako role has been gifted by our Tongan community. The name refers to a teacher of teachers, in this case, a teacher and researcher who will support Pacific learners and various teachers to improve Pacific learner success.

The Taki Ako looks after cultural legacy-based learner success and leadership initiatives, namely the Calling the Island, Challenge the Horizon and E Tasi Teaching Toolkit programmes. Hennah is our lead on first-year Study Advising and she works closely with the Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning and the Library to develop culturally responsive programmes in teaching and learning.

The Taki Ako also supervises the Palu Undergraduate Navigators programme.

Read more about Hennah's leadership, teaching and research experience on her staff profile.

The name of the 'Atia'e role has been gifted by Rev Fuifui Te'evale Sr, a faife'au in our Waikato Samoan community and Fuifui Te'evale Jr. The name refers to a grower, in this case, the grower of our Pacific research space. The role is fundamentally aimed at growing Pacific research, researchers and research excellence at the UoW. 

This includes:

• Supporting Pacific researchers, students and staff, in their journeys and development as researchers.
• Developing the Lo'i Pacific Research and Innovation Hub, a taro patch-like space for bringing diverse stakeholders, including researchers, funders and community partners, together to create an expanded linked innovation that produces substantive research and outcomes for Pacific people.
• Supporting Pacific researchers in securing needed funding.

FoE High School STEM Navigators

UoW students from HECS act as Navigators for the high school students in the FoE High School STEM Programme — sharing their love of their cultures, presenting information on degrees and programmes, talking about their own experience, and designing and leading learning.  

Their goal is to enhance interest in and knowledge of STEM study and careers amongst Pacific high school students and their parents through weekly shared kai and learning activities based on cultural legacies of STEM.

Palu Undergraduate Navigators 

Senior Pacific students act as Palu (or master navigators) helping other students navigate study, services and opportunities. Each of the four divisions, FMIS and Tauranga have been assigned a Navigator. They provide culturally responsive, one-on-one support for Pacific undergraduate students and connect them with central and divisional support and resources.  

For more on Pacific research, researchers and research excellence, visit Lo‘i Pacific Research and Innovation Hub page.

Our Pacific at Waikato team works closely with a much wider aiga at the University who are all committed to helping our learners succeed. 

The culturally responsive Te Pokinga Ngaru Leadership Programme is designed to empower Pacific staff in their leadership journeys and careers through workshops, mentoring, professional development, ASP, GSSR and PBRF support, leadership building, and well-being thinking.